Cuba Plunged Into Darkness After Nationwide Power Outage

According to Financial News, a massive blackout has plunged all of Cuba into darkness.
On the 16th (local time), Agence France-Presse (AFP) and other outlets reported that Unión Eléctrica de Cuba, the state-owned power company, announced that the national grid had been completely shut down, cutting electricity to the entire island.
In a statement, Unión Eléctrica de Cuba said, "The national power grid is completely down," adding, "We have begun restoration work, but it will take time to normalize the flow of electricity."
Cuba’s aging power generation system has now reached its limits. In many parts of the island, blackouts lasting up to 20 hours a day have become routine, and even fuel to run generators has nearly run out. Since January 9, no crude oil imports have reportedly entered Cuba.
The main cause of the current crisis is widely seen as the United States’ tough economic sanctions. After January 3, when the government of Nicolás Maduro in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Cuba’s closest ally, was ousted with U.S. involvement, the Donald Trump administration has maintained what amounts to an "oil blockade" against Cuba.
As fuel supplies dwindled, many flight routes were drastically reduced, pushing Cuba’s tourism industry—its economic lifeline—to the brink of collapse.
Restrictions on gasoline sales and even the suspension of some hospital services are threatening the lives of Cuba’s 9.6 million people.
Ongoing blackouts and shortages of food and medicine have sparked public anger. AFP reported that over the weekend, furious protesters damaged local offices of the Communist Party of Cuba, and that nightly demonstrations in which people bang pots and pans while chanting "Libertad" (freedom) have become widespread.
Miguel Díaz-Canel, President of Cuba, wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "We are aware of the public’s frustration over prolonged power outages," but warned that "violence cannot be justified under any circumstances."
U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that the blockade is a response to what he called an "emergency" posed by Cuba to the United States.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on the 15th, he said, "Cuba now wants a deal. Once the war with Iran is wrapped up, the Cuba issue will also be resolved quickly. Before long, whether through negotiations or whatever measures are necessary, there will be a decisive outcome."


jjyoon@fnnews.com Reporter Yoon Jae-joon Reporter